Paperwork re pacemaker

Hello PollyP

by arent80 - 2020-04-22 19:34:12

I got a bracelet and dog tags with all my info on it. There are a few websites out there that allow you to custom make your piece exactly how you want it. I put My Name, Doctors Name, Number and Pacemaker Brand/Type. The tags I was able to add more. It's just an idea to hold you over until the cards arrive. I had my card laminated as putting it in my wallet would have damaged it rather quickly. All the best!

Alejandro

Paperwork

by AgentX86 - 2020-04-22 23:16:32

You sould have gotten a paper card right after surgery and a credit card style card should have come in the mail shortly after. If you didn't get it, go on the PM manufacturers web site and find out how to get one.  A phone call should be all you need.  They have all your information.

Note that there isn't a lot of information on the card.  It gives your PM and lead model and serial numbers.  IME, this information is ignored by medical personnel.  The card will tell the TSA to give you a good grope if you insist on showing it to them.

As Arnestas says, you're much better off with medical alert jewlery.  I'd differ with him what information to put on the card.  I only put on it what may be important, immediately, to an EMT or ER doctor.  They really don't need my name.  I do have my wife's cell phone number on it.  She can fill them in on any information needed later.  StickyJ (advertiser on this site) has an aluminum "credit card" that can hold a lot of information, like drugs, and other information of a less critical nature.  I think the card is less than $10.  It's cheap enough that it can be kept up to date.  Some of the jewlery can get rather expensive (want a $1000 gold dog tag?) so I wouldn't put any information that's likely to change often on one.

Don't worry about this

by crustyg - 2020-04-23 04:40:06

Practically the only folk I've ever met who care about this piece of paper/card are security folk using hand-held wands who sometimes want to see some evidence about what their wand has found.

In my (limited) experience, hospitals don't care, MRI teams don't care, airport security don't care (but see above) and in any case, when was the last time an airport let you carry even your passport through the metal-detector arch or the millimetric see-under-your-clothes scanner?  Once they have separated you from wallet and passport you become a stateless person anyway.

Your card will turn up eventually.  If anyone really tries to give you a hard time, show them the PM under your skin.  Para-medics are trained not to put the shock plates over a PM if you collapse on the street.  Probably the greatest value of a card is if you are unconscious after a traffic accident in the boonies and they want to know what type of PM you have - guessing the manufacturer and model from chest X-ray is not easy.

Same here

by JaeJae - 2020-04-23 07:30:33

I had no paper card either as they never gave me one. Just waited for my one to come in the mail which took about 3 weeks. They dont have alot of info on them so I also got a medical alert bracelet which has my emergency contact on it also.

Don't stress

by Gotrhythm - 2020-04-23 16:16:51

Funny thing about those cards. In nine years there's been a need for it exactly once. I was in an ER after I had fainted. The asked me did I know what kind of pacemaker I had. They were delighted I produced the card--but also very surprised!

I've impressed medical people many times by being able to give the brand name of my pacemaker, and on one occasion, by knowing it was a plain pacemaker, not an ICD or CRT.

Aaparently, lots of people are wandering around who are comfortable being totally ignorant of the hardware in their chests. I guess when they get the card they put it in a drawer somewhere.

What does this have to do with you? Well, I think it means having the piece of paper, or card, isn't life and death.

As other have said, if you're concerned, you can call the manufacturer.. If you don't know the manufacturer--apparently some people don't--you can call your doctor's office. But really, it's probably safe just to wait for it to come in the mail. 

Paperwork

by PollyP - 2020-04-23 18:51:34

Thanks, guys - I was a bit surprised when they said I must carry it at all times and all the othr blah when I didn't even get it to start with.  I have an emergency ID card in my wallet and I've updated that and also have a USB device with emergency info on it attached to my key ring.

ID card

by AgentX86 - 2020-04-23 20:05:42

Don't expect an EMT to go rifling through your purse to find an ID card.  If you think you need to carry emergency information, you'd better put it where it can be seen.  EMTs are trained to look for well marked (with a caduceus) necklaces, tags and bracelets (perhaps trinkets).  They don't have time to play Hunt the Thimble.  There are plenty of companies that make good looking jewelery for the purpose. 

months?

by dwelch - 2020-04-25 00:04:37

I guess it has been a few years, I thought the one in the mail was more like days or weeks.

On device number five, the only time I have used those cards is on this site to help remember how old each of my leads are (32 years old 25 years old, etc).

But yes you should have gotten a piece of paper, and then the card.  Just call your docs office first they may be able to send you the info or kick off another card to be sent, etc.  Depending on how that goes just call the device company, medtronic, st. Jude, etc.  between those two one should know if/when the card was ordered and sent.

Next interrogation, ask for your printout, at least the pacer info should be on there, serial number model, etc.  the leads may or may not have been put in there...

Only needed my card once in 6 years

by LondonAndy - 2020-04-25 18:52:47

And that was for planning an MRI scan.  I do carry it with me when flying, just in case, but have never been asked for it - I used to just point at my left pec, making a repeated horizontal movement in the manner that appears to be a universal sign for pacemaker, and lo they would use their wand.  I say "used to" - for the last 4 years or so I don't even bother telling them at the airport that I have one, and just go through the arch like other passengers.  (and I am 100% paced, so I would definitely notice if my device was affected).  Newer pacemakers are very well shielded.

I don't routinely carry my pacemaker ID card otherwise, but I agree with AgentX86 and wear an ID bracelet that summarises my key medical things, and as this one is a Medic Alert type it has a 24 hour phone number that a Paramedic can call to get more information - Medic Alert have more details of everything, including a copy of my pacemaker card.

Once in 6 years

by AgentX86 - 2020-04-25 21:57:42

I've mentiond it here before but I needed an MRI last fall.  The card did absolutely no good.  Two hospitals didn't care what it said (and lied about the reasons they couldn't do the MRI).  They wouldn't touch me until I jumped through enough hoops that it was apparent that I wasn't going away.  In the end, they needed to get the exact same information directly from my cardiologist.  It's kinda funny because my EP did the surgery (my cardiologist implants them too but my EP got their first ;-).

Bottom line: The cards are all but useless.

Thanks

by PollyP - 2020-04-26 00:00:59

Thanks guys - all good info.  I'll just wait until the official card arrives and go from there.